Pubdate: Mon, 30 May 2005
Source: Port Macquarie News (Australia)
Contact: 
http://portmacquarie.yourguide.com.au/sitemail.asp?class=site%20email
Copyright: 2005 by Rural Press Ltd
Website: http://portmacquarie.yourguide.com.au/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3813
Author: Clare Hayes

BALI NINE MUM SAYS BOYCOTT BALI

ROBYN Davis is clearly unsettled by the Schapelle Corby verdict.

While her son Matthew Norman sits in a Bali jail cell accused of being a
drug mule, Corby has been handed a 20-year sentence for a similar crime.

Corby was convicted of possessing marijuana.

Norman was one of the Bali 9 allegedly found with heroin in a Bali motel
room, although he wasn't one of the group with heroin strapped to his body.

And now his Port Macquarie-based mum who fears he may become suicidal, wants
Australians to boycott Bali.

"It's pretty sad and it worries me what is going to happen," she said after
watching the Corby verdict on television on Friday.

"Especially when there are nine other people about to go through the same
thing.

"It's not fair and it is too strict.

"I'm frightened Matthew will commit suicide because he doesn't want to stay
there."

What is worse for Ms Davis is knowing that she can't contact her son to
comfort him after the verdict.

She told the Port News she had no telephone access to him and will have to
rely on the post to send any words of comfort because she can't afford
another trip just yet.

Ms Davis, scared by the Corby verdict, is now urging Australian travellers
to steer clear of Bali.

"I hope no-one else goes over to Bali so they don't have to go through
this," she said.

"It worries me what's going on."

She is also pressuring the Australian government to organise a prisoner
exchange quickly, for Schapelle Corby, her son and the Bali 9.

The reality of Norman's situation hit Ms Davis during a two-week visit to
Bali.

She was granted restricted time with Norman and returned to Port Macquarie
last week frustrated by the Indonesian system and the hypocrisy of a country
which she said condemned tourists with drugs but whose citizens openly
offered it for sale on the streets.
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